Apparatus for gaseous treatment of sized materials

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for the gaseous treatment of sized materials comprising a stack consisting of a plurality of shell members arranged above one another and in partially nested relationship so as to provide a passage for gas to or from the interior of the stack at the junctions between adjacent shell members, means for feeding the material to be treated into the uppermost shell member for downward flow through the stack, means for discharging the material at a controlled rate from the bottom end of the lowermost shell member, aNd chambers at the junctions between adjacent shell members for the supply or exhaustion of treatment gases to or from the stack.

United States Patent [l5] 3,685,166 Fitton et a]. l45l Aug. 22, 1972 [54] APPARATUS FOR GASEOUS 3,526,483 9/ I970 Deussner et al ..34/57 E X TREATMENT OF SIZED MATERIALS 2,746,375 5/l956 Abbott et al ..34/ 168 X 72 Inventors: John Talbot Futon; Alan Sunon 3,364,589 l/l968 Muller ..263/32 X both of Stockport, England Primary Examiner-Frederick L. Matteson [73] Asstgnee: Simon-Canes Limited, Stockport. ASH-3mm Emmner Han-y Ramey England Attorney-Norris & Bateman [22] Filed: July 2, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 51,920 [57] ABSTRACT Apparatus for the gaseous treatment of sized materials 30 comprising a stack consisting of a plurality of shell 1 Foreign Apphcauon Pnomy Dam members arranged above one another and in partially July 23, 1969 Great Britain ..36,930/69 nested relationship so as to provide a passage for gas to or from the interior of the stack at the junctions [52] US. Cl 168 between adjacent shell members. means for feeding [51] ll lt. Cl th aterial be treated into the uppermost hell [58} held of Search "34/57 A, 57 6 H, member for downward flow through the stack, means 34/168, 169; 266/20, 1 263/21 323 for discharging the material at a controlled rate from 23,284 the bottom end of the lowermost shell member, aNd chambers at the junctions between adjacent shell [56] References cued members for the supply or exhaustion of treatment UNITED STATES PATENTS gases to or from the stack.

2,974,419 3/1961 l-lauk et a1 ..34/57 A X 15 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures mcmenwszzm 3.685.166

SHEEI 1 0F 2 F I G I WVENTORS JOHN m 507 F/T'CW w fgm APPARATUS FOR GASEOUS TREATMENT OF SIZED MATERIALS This invention concerns the gaseous treatment of sized materials of various kinds. According to the present invention apparatus for the gaseous treatment of sized materials comprises a stack consisting of a plurality of shell members arranged above one another and in partially nested relationship so as to provide a passage for gas to or from the interior of the stack at the junctions between adjacent shell members, means for feeding the material to be treated into the uppermost shell member for downward flow through the stack, means for discharging the material at a controlled rate from the bottom end of the lowermost shell member, and chambers at the junctions between adjacent shell members for the supply or exhaustion of treatment gases to or from the stack.

Preferably said shell members are in the form of inverted truncated cones.

The invention will be further apparent from the following description, with reference to the the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partly cut-away diagrammatic perspective view showing one embodiment of the invention, and

H6. 2 is a similar view showing a further embodiment.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters denote similar parts, it will be seen that the apparatus includes three inverted truncated conical shells 10, 11 and 12 arranged above one another in partially nested relationship to form a stack.

Material to be treated is introduced at the upper end of the uppermost shell 10 by means of an input pipe 13. The material may be fed into the pipe 13 by means of a hopper or other known form of bulk material delivery system. The material is able to flow downwardly through the successive shells constituting the stack for discharge from the bottom end of the lowermost shell 12. Suitable means (not shown) such as a conveyor are provided for controlling the rate of discharge of material from the stack. It will be understood that by controlling the rate of discharge, the retention time of the material in the stack may itself be controlled.

Annular chambers l4, l5 and 16 surround and communicate with the top end of the uppermost shell 10, and the junctions between the shells l and 11, and 11 and 12 respectively. The chambers 14, 15 and 16 each have two opposed tangential ducts communicating therewith, such ducts being indicated by the reference numerals 14a, 14b, 15a, 15b, 16a and 16b for the chambers l4, l and 16 respectively.

Vertically extending manifolds l7 and 18 are provided at diagonally opposed positions, the ducts 14a, a and 16a communicating with the manifold 17 and the ducts 14b, 15b and 16b communicating with the manifold 18. Each of the ducts 14a to 16b inclusive is provided with a valve 19, whereby the ducts can be connected with or isolated from the manifolds as desired. The upper regions of the manifolds 17 and 18 are connected by a main 20 which communicates with an exhaust duct 21. The lower regions of the manifolds l7 and 18 are connected by a main 22 which communicates with a supply duct 23 for treatment gases.

Baffle plates 24 and 25 are provided within the manifolds l7 and 18 to isolate their lower and upper regions from one another.

In use, the treatment gases are fed through the duct 23 and via main 22, and manifolds l7 and 18 to the chambers 15 and 16 for upward flow through the stack, that is, in counter-current flow with respect to the flow of the material being treated. The treatment gases are taken off from the stack by the chamber 14 and passed via ducts 14a and 14b, manifolds l7 and 18, and main 20 to the exhaust duct 21.

It will be understood that by adjusting the setting of the valves 19 and the positions of the baffle plates 24 and 25 in the manifolds l7 and 18, a variety of gas flow conditions may be obtained and selected to give optimum results having regard to the particular treatment process to be efi'ected. In practice the apparatus would normally include more than three shells in the stack when the pattern of gas flow may be varied to a greater extent. With an arrangement having more shells the manifolds may be divided into more than two sections to permit the simultaneous introduction of different treatment gases which can be taken off collectively at the top of the stack or separately at varying positions over the height of the stack.

it is envisaged that the apparatus might be used for a variety of different treatment processes such as the following which are listed by way of non-limiting example:

1. Direct reduction of iron ores and concentrates by gaseous reductants.

2. Calcination of carbonates, hydrates, etc.

3. Drying.

4. Pellet firing.

5. Cooling.

Obviously in processes where the treatment gases are at an elevated temperature, the various parts of the apparatus may be lined with suitable refractory material.

It will be appreciated that it is not intended to limit the invention to the above example only, many variations, such as might readily occur to one skilled in the art, being possible without departing from the scope thereof, as defined by the appended claims.

For example, in large plants where the diameter of the shell units is substantial it may be desirable to provide a pipe extending right through the apparatus along its axis so that the material flows downwardly through the stack in the annular zone thus defined between the shell members and the periphery of the central pipe. Such a pipe is shown at P in FIG. 2 of the drawing disposed to extend right through the entire height of the apparatus and a guide 6 is provided to feed the material at the top of the stack into the annular space surrounding such pipe.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for the gaseous treatment of sized materials comprising a stack of a plurality of shell members arranged above one another and in partially nested relationship so as to provide a passage for gas to or from the interior of the stack at the junctions between adjacent shell members, means for feeding the material to be treated into the uppermost shell member for downward flow through the stack, means for discharging the material at a controlled rate from the bottom end of the lowermost shell member, chambers at the junctions between adjacent shell members for the supply or exhaustion of treatment gases to or from the stack, means connecting each chamber with a first common manifold and a second common manifold, baffle means in each said manifold dividing the same into sections, mains connecting opposed sections of the two manifolds and means for supplying treatment gases to or collecting treatment gases from each said main.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 comprising valve means for establishing a communication between each chamber and its associated manifold section or isolating it therefrom, whereby the pattern of gas flow in and through the stack may be adjusted as required.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 comprising a further chamber at the extreme upper end of the stack and surrounding an inlet for material to the stack for the supply or exhaustion of treatment gases to or from the stack at the extreme upper end thereof.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 comprising valve means for establishing a communication between each chamber and its associated manifold section or isolating it therefrom, whereby the pattern of gas flow in and through the stack may be adjusted as required.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein each said chamber surrounds the stack and has two opposed ducts connecting said chamber with said manifolds for the supply or collection of gases to or from the chamber.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each said chamber surrounds the stack and has two opposed ducts connecting said chamber with said manifolds for the supply or collection of gases to or from said chamber.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each said shell member is of inverted truncated conical form.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1 including a pipe extending axially through the center of the stack whereby the material flows through the stack in the annular zone defined between the shell members and the periphery of said central pipe.

9. Apparatus for the gaseous treatment of sized materials comprising a stack consisting of a plurality of shell members arranged above one another and in partially nested relationship so as to provide a passage for gas to or from the interior of the stack at the junctions between adjacent shell members, means for feeding the material to be treated into the uppermost shell member for downward flow through the stack, means for discharging the material at a controlled rate from the bottom end of the lowermost shell member, and chambers at the junctions between adjacent shell members for the supply or exhaustion of treatment gases to or from the stack, each of said chambers surrounding the stack and having two opposed ducts communicating therewith for the supply or collection of gases therefrom, and one of the ducts from each chamber communicating with a first common manifold, and the other of the ducts from each chamber communicating with a second common manifold, baffle means in each said manifold dividing same into sections, mains connecting opposed sections of the two manifolds at a common level, means for supplying treatment gases to or collecting treatment gases from each said main, and

valve means in each said duct for establishing a communication between the duct and its associated manifold section or isolating it therefrom, all whereby the pattern of gas flow in and through the stack may be adjusted as required.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein each said shell member is of inverted truncated conical fi Apparatus according to claim 9 including a pipe extending axially through the center of the stack whereby the material flows through the stack in the annular zone defined between the shell members and the periphery of said central pipe.

12. Apparatus for the gaseous treatment of sized materials comprising a stack consisting of a plurality of shell members arranged above one another and in par tially nested relationship so as to provide a passage for gas to or from the interior of the stack at the junctions between adjacent shell members, means for feeding the material to be treated into the uppermost shell member for downward flow through the stack, means for discharging the material at a controlled rate from the I bottom end of the lowermost shell member, chambers at the junctions between adjacent shell members for the supply or exhaustion of treatment gases to or from the stack, a further chamber at the extreme upper end of the stack and surrounding an inlet for material to the stack for the supply or exhaustion of treatment gases to or from the stack at the extreme upper end thereof, each said chamber surrounding the stack and having two opposed ducts communicating therewith for the supply or collection of gases therefrom, and one of the ducts from each chamber communicating with a first common manifold, and the other of the ducts from each chamber communicating with a second common manifold, baffle means in each said manifold dividing same into sections, mains connecting opposed sections of the two manifolds at a common level, means for supplying treatment gases to or collecting treatment gases from each said main, and valve means in each said duct for establishing a communication between the duct and its associated manifold section or isolating it therefrom, all whereby the pattern of gas flow in and through the stack may be adjusted as required.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein each said shell member is of inverted truncated conical form.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13 including a pipe extending axially through the center of the stack whereby the material flows through the stack in the annular zone defined between the shell members and the periphery of said central pipe.

15. Apparatus according to claim 12 including a pipe extending axially through the center of the stack whereby the material flows through the stack in the annular zone defined between the shell members and the periphery of said central pipe.

l i i i 

1. Apparatus for the gaseous treatment of sized materials comprising a stack of a plurality of shell members arranged above one another and in partially nested relationship so as to provide a passage for gas to or from the interior of the stack at the junctions between adjacent shell members, means for feeding the material to be treated into the uppermost shell member for downward flow through the stack, means for discharging the material at a controlled rate from the bottom end of the lowermost shell member, chambers at the junctions between adjacent shell members for the supply or exhaustion of treatment gases to or from the stack, means connecting each chamber with a first common manifold and a second common manifold, baffle means in each said manifold dividing the same into sections, mains connecting opposEd sections of the two manifolds and means for supplying treatment gases to or collecting treatment gases from each said main.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 comprising valve means for establishing a communication between each chamber and its associated manifold section or isolating it therefrom, whereby the pattern of gas flow in and through the stack may be adjusted as required.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 comprising a further chamber at the extreme upper end of the stack and surrounding an inlet for material to the stack for the supply or exhaustion of treatment gases to or from the stack at the extreme upper end thereof.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 3 comprising valve means for establishing a communication between each chamber and its associated manifold section or isolating it therefrom, whereby the pattern of gas flow in and through the stack may be adjusted as required.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein each said chamber surrounds the stack and has two opposed ducts connecting said chamber with said manifolds for the supply or collection of gases to or from the chamber.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each said chamber surrounds the stack and has two opposed ducts connecting said chamber with said manifolds for the supply or collection of gases to or from said chamber.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each said shell member is of inverted truncated conical form.
 8. Apparatus according to claim 1 including a pipe extending axially through the center of the stack whereby the material flows through the stack in the annular zone defined between the shell members and the periphery of said central pipe.
 9. Apparatus for the gaseous treatment of sized materials comprising a stack consisting of a plurality of shell members arranged above one another and in partially nested relationship so as to provide a passage for gas to or from the interior of the stack at the junctions between adjacent shell members, means for feeding the material to be treated into the uppermost shell member for downward flow through the stack, means for discharging the material at a controlled rate from the bottom end of the lowermost shell member, and chambers at the junctions between adjacent shell members for the supply or exhaustion of treatment gases to or from the stack, each of said chambers surrounding the stack and having two opposed ducts communicating therewith for the supply or collection of gases therefrom, and one of the ducts from each chamber communicating with a first common manifold, and the other of the ducts from each chamber communicating with a second common manifold, baffle means in each said manifold dividing same into sections, mains connecting opposed sections of the two manifolds at a common level, means for supplying treatment gases to or collecting treatment gases from each said main, and valve means in each said duct for establishing a communication between the duct and its associated manifold section or isolating it therefrom, all whereby the pattern of gas flow in and through the stack may be adjusted as required.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein each said shell member is of inverted truncated conical form.
 11. Apparatus according to claim 9 including a pipe extending axially through the center of the stack whereby the material flows through the stack in the annular zone defined between the shell members and the periphery of said central pipe.
 12. Apparatus for the gaseous treatment of sized materials comprising a stack consisting of a plurality of shell members arranged above one another and in partially nested relationship so as to provide a passage for gas to or from the interior of the stack at the junctions between adjacent shell members, means for feeding the material to be treated into the uppermost shell member for downward flow through the stack, means for discharging the material at a controlled rate from the bottom end of the lowermost shell member, chambers at the junctions betweEn adjacent shell members for the supply or exhaustion of treatment gases to or from the stack, a further chamber at the extreme upper end of the stack and surrounding an inlet for material to the stack for the supply or exhaustion of treatment gases to or from the stack at the extreme upper end thereof, each said chamber surrounding the stack and having two opposed ducts communicating therewith for the supply or collection of gases therefrom, and one of the ducts from each chamber communicating with a first common manifold, and the other of the ducts from each chamber communicating with a second common manifold, baffle means in each said manifold dividing same into sections, mains connecting opposed sections of the two manifolds at a common level, means for supplying treatment gases to or collecting treatment gases from each said main, and valve means in each said duct for establishing a communication between the duct and its associated manifold section or isolating it therefrom, all whereby the pattern of gas flow in and through the stack may be adjusted as required.
 13. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein each said shell member is of inverted truncated conical form.
 14. Apparatus according to claim 13 including a pipe extending axially through the center of the stack whereby the material flows through the stack in the annular zone defined between the shell members and the periphery of said central pipe.
 15. Apparatus according to claim 12 including a pipe extending axially through the center of the stack whereby the material flows through the stack in the annular zone defined between the shell members and the periphery of said central pipe. 